New apartment complex to house low-income seniors

The Salvation Army began taking applications Thursday from potential residents of the Evangeline Booth Gardens apartments, a complex currently under construction at 2729 Cherrybrook Lane.

"It will be something Pasadena can be proud of," said Joyce Hardin, a representative for the Salvation Army project.

The construction of this apartment complex follows the tremendous success of a similar project located north of downtown Houston. The William Booth Gardens apartments opened in 1995 and have had a two-year waiting list since then.

Like the existing complex, the Evangeline Booth Gardens apartments will be open to seniors ages 62 and older whose annual income is no more than $21,350 for individuals, or $24,400 for couples. The apartments are HUD-subsidized and non-profit.

Rent is based on income and medical expenses, said property supervisor Mary McElhanon. The average monthly rent paid at the William Booth Gardens is $128, although some seniors pay as little as $38 per month.

Each of the complex's 62 units will have one bedroom and measure approximately 550 square feet.

"They are very beautiful apartments, and all of them have big bay windows, which give the residents so much space," Hardin said.

"The only reason anyone would leave this complex would be if they got sick or died," McElhanon said. "(William Booth Gardens) were open three years before we lost a resident."

When applications became available at 1 p.m. Thursday, a line of interested seniors had already formed at the Salvation Army's East Harris County Corps at 2732 Cherrybrook Lane.

Seniors can pick up applications at that location from 1 to 4 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday until the complex opens in late November or early December. After opening day, applications will be available at the complex's office.

Once an application is filled out and returned, property managers will contact the applicant for an interview. Spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

"We sent notices out to all the churches, social service organizations and senior organizations," McElhanon said. "And people got here right away."

The complex is designed to be more than just a living facility, as all residents will benefit from the Salvation Army's senior citizen services.

Frequent movie nights will be arranged at the complex, enabling seniors to see movies on a big-screen television for free. Their only possible expense will be 50 cents for popcorn - a bargain compared to what they would pay at a theater, McElhanon said.

She hopes residents at the Evangeline Booth Gardens will experience the same kind of unity residents of the other complex have found. One group of seniors at William Booth Gardens banded together to raise money for a seven-day cruise.

"They did fund raisers, and it was all resident-driven," McElhanon said.

Because of the income level of the potential residents, McElhanon and Hardin expect that most of the seniors who move into the complex will not have cars.

Vans will be made available by the Salvation Army to take the seniors shopping as needed. Laundromat fees will be kept low to fit the residents' budgets.

McElhanon said Pasadena was selected as the location for the second low-income senior apartment complex because the Salvation Army's East Harris County community center is located in the city.

The Salvation Army is considering northwest Houston for its next apartment project.

Anyone who needs more information on the Evangeline Booth Gardens apartments should call (832) 201-8039.